DA SHAW: MISSING PERSON INVESTIGATION UPGRADED TO HOMICIDE

CLEARFIELD – Clearfield County District Attorney, William A. Shaw, Jr., announced today that an ongoing missing person investigation has been upgraded to a homicide investigation.

Shaw reports that Ronald Bruce Ford, Jr., age 40, of San Diego, CA, was reported missing in February to the Pennsylvania State Police after failing to contact his family in San Diego. Ford had been staying at a residence in Centre County and was last seen between 11 p.m. on February 21, 2013, and 11:00 a.m on February 22, 2013.

After an intense investigation of the missing person report, members of the Pennsylvania State Police recovered human remains on June 3rd, in a wooded area off of Rolling Stone Road, Covington Township, Clearfield County.

Shaw stated that on Tuesday, June 4th, a number of law enforcement agencies served multiple search warrants in both Clearfield and Centre counties seeking evidence to support criminal charges.

Additionally, Shaw reported that on June 3rd, Dr. Dennis Dirkmaat, Chair of the Department of Applied and Forensic Sciences department from Mercyhurst College brought a team of 30 individuals to the Rolling Stone Road location to conduct a site survey and recover evidence from the scene. Although Shaw would not identify the items recovered, Shaw stated that “evidence was collected by the Mercyhurst team”

Shaw stated a positive identification is expected in the immediate future. Shaw also reported that Ford’s family has been notified of the discovery.

Shaw noted that a number of law enforcement agencies have been working together to solve this case. Shaw stated that Troopers from the Woodland and Bellefonte Barracks of the State Police, as well as undercover Troopers from the Troop – C Vice Unit have been working around the clock on this investigation. Shaw also noted that Agents from the Office of Attorney General – Bureau of Narcotics Investigations, and Officers from the Clearfield County Drug Task Force have been assisting with the investigation.

Shaw stated that “this is most likely a specific issue event but encourages citizens in the area to exercise personal judgment regarding their safety.” Shaw said “many, many officers are working on this case and I am hopeful that criminal charges will be filed in the near future.”

Shaw thanked all of the officers and agents working on this investigation.

Anyone with knowledge of the investigation is asked to call the Pennsylvania State Police at (814)-857-3800 or Clearfield County Crime Stoppers at (800)-376-4700. All calls to Crime Stoppers are confidential.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted by visiting the Clearfield County District Attorney web site at “www.ClearfieldDA.org” and selecting “Report A Crime”.